---
title: "What Is TENS? TENS and Pain Glossary | Analgesic Healthcare"
description: "TENS, short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, sends mild electrical pulses through electrode pads on the skin to relieve pain."
url: https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/tens
publisher: Analgesic Healthcare
phone: +1-800-749-1188
contact: https://analgesic.multisites.ai/contact
---

Therapy

# TENS

TENS, short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, sends mild electrical pulses through electrode pads on the skin to relieve pain. FDA classifies the device as Class II.

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The NHS describes it as a treatment that gives temporary pain relief. A [TENS unit](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/tens-unit) passes a weak electrical current through [electrode pads](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/electrode-pad) on the skin. Under 21 CFR 882.5890, FDA describes this type of device as one used to apply an electrical current to electrodes on a patient's skin to treat pain. The NHS also says TENS does not work for everyone. A 2022 review in Medicina found TENS may have efficacy for some acute and chronic pain conditions, but the size of the effect is uncertain. Ask your clinician whether TENS fits your pain, and follow your clinician's and your device's instructions. For the full picture, read [TENS units: what they are and how they work](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/guides/tens-units).

## Related terms

-   [TENS unit](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/tens-unit)
-   [Electrode pad](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/electrode-pad)
-   [Electrotherapy](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/electrotherapy)
-   [Gate control theory](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/gate-control-theory)

## Sources

1.  [NHS: TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens/)
2.  [eCFR: 21 CFR 882.5890 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator for pain relief](https://www.ecfr.gov/api/renderer/v1/content/enhanced/current/title-21?part=882&section=882.5890)

## Questions about your unit or a bill?

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